Reading FC Match Report: 2016/2017 Season - Championship

20 August 2016READING 2 BRIGHTON 2

It took the Royals a mere two minutes to breach an Albion defence which had not conceded in their opening four fixtures of the season. Beerens won a free kick wide on the right and Swift whipped in an inviting cross which eluded everyone and curled inside the far post. It was just the start Reading needed following two successive away defeats last week. There may have been a few raised eyebrows when Jaap Stam opted to retain the same starting eleven form the previous two games, but his decision was vindicated with convincing performance against a strong Albion side. On the balance of play and chances created Reading could reasonably argue they deserved all three points.

The early lead was soon cancelled out as Albion stormed back and Van den Berg headed into his own net from an Albion corner in the eighth minute. There was a hint of some pushing but it was essentially a consequence poor defending. Van Berg somehow found himself facing his own goal having to clear a ball dropping in the six yards box which Al Habsi should really have claimed. The goal took the wind out their sails but Reading soon settled and began to dominate possession passing the ball around comfortably at the back and treading passes through midfield and getting at the Albion defence. Jaap Stam's influence was becoming increasingly apparent as his players looked comfortable in possession, picked out passes, and moved into spaces all over the pitch. Chances fell to Kermorgant who had one effort blocked, a low drive which skimmed wide from the edge of the box and a well-executed volley on the stroke of half time which also flew just past the post.

Within a minute of the re-start Reading found themselves a goal down. McShane switched off (as did the rest of the back four) and let his man get behind him to pull the ball back for Knockaert who found himself in acres of space to drive the ball low into the net past Al Habsi. The Royals were in no mood to roll over and re-established their grip on the game although now they had to contend with the threat of Albion counter attacks and some appalling refereeing. Kermorgant beat Stockdale with a well-timed header only to see his effort bounce back off the bar. Reading scored the equaliser they deserved just on the hour. McCleary, who is already looking a better player under Stam, cut back an excellent ball to McShane in the box. The quality of the pass enabled the Reading centre back to finish with a crisp first time strike. Reading looked to more likely side to win the game and were denied by a dubious decision when Gunter was brought down by a challenge which looked to just inside the box. Referee Jones gradually lost his grip on the game and made a string of really poor decisions, notably ignoring an ugly lunge on Williams and an elbow to Kermorgant’s head. Kermogant dished out his own retribution and received a yellow card shortly after. Brighton hung on and Kermorgant nearly hit the winner with a superbly executed overhead kick which Stockdale somehow pushed away.

With time running out substitute Hemed’s sharp turn took him away from the Reading defence leaving Van den Berg the option of allowing him a run on goal or a ‘tactical’ foul. His choice resulted in a second yellow card and Brighton free kick which came to nothing. Reading fully deserved their point and can feel confident about their chances this season if they continue to play with such enterprise. Beerens, Van den Berg and Swift are all good footballers and Williams and McCleary are clearly improving under the new manager and his coaching staff. There was a positive mood amongst the home fans after the final whistle today, and rightly so, they had more than matched one of the strongest sides in the league.
John Wells

Post Match Fans' Opinion

windermereROYAL

» 20 Aug 2016 17:31

In a nutshell. after a shakey first 15 minutes a superb performance that deserved all 3 points, FFS stop letting in early 2nd haf goals. stone wall penalty.Kermy hits the bar and has a overhead kick well saved. God awful ref, how can you be booked for talking to the lino (when Brighton did it non stop) yet only get a talking to with neck breaking tackles?
Hugely encouraging.

Since 1990

» 20 Aug 2016 17:40

Great result against a team now unbeaten in 18 games and who had not conceeded this season.

Royal Ginger

» 20 Aug 2016 17:48

Happy with a draw in a good contest against a team that'll be right at the top all season, fairly decent atmosphere too (an early goal, panto villain(s), and bad refereeing will do that).

Nobody really stood out as excellent but almost everybody was pretty solid. No argument with VDB's second yellow, but the first was bullshit if it's not enforced across the board. Kermorgant should have gone at the end.

McShane looks awful with the ball at his feet but I think part of the problem is Evans not looking for space and giving him an outlet.

Good game, enjoyed it.

John Madejski's Wallet

» 20 Aug 2016 18:01

Really enjoyed that.

Once we stopped with the really aimless passing at the back and mixed it up more, the game really opened up. McCleary had them in his pocket, Kermogant put in a right shift too.

As a real lover of Williams over the last couple of seasons, I think he's now our weak link. With Evans and Swift in there now, he needs to sort himself and get a purpose as I'm not sure of his role.

sandman

» 20 Aug 2016 18:13

Good performance but lapses of concentration let us down again, hopefully Moore and Blackett can steady us. Well taken goal from McShane. Should have had a penalty but the ref was too weak to make his own decision. Mccleary motm.

Murray as mouthy as ever but did unlike Van Den Berg didn't get booked for it. Steve "I'll definitely sign a contract for 20 grand a week, no wait 25k, no wait 30k, no I had no intention of signing a contract and I'm off to Chelsea" Sidwell would have had to get out a machete and hack people to death to receive so much as a talking to by the awful ref. Norwood reception was interesting. Rosenior won't be blowing kisses to the opposition fans again any time soon.

Overall positive, less messing around at the back with a better tempo.

Uke

» 20 Aug 2016 18:19

Enjoyed the match everyone putting in a shift.

When did Brighton get so whiny and niggly?

Kermogant was both unlucky and lucky today

Royal Ginger

» 20 Aug 2016 18:22

I was a bit disappointed by the Norwood reaction. I don't think that was entirely warranted. Sure not worth a standing ovation, but I thought the booing was a bit much.

SpaghettiHoop

» 20 Aug 2016 18:34

Blatant push on Van Den Berg causing own goal.

Royality creeps In

» 20 Aug 2016 18:35

Should have won that. Al Habsi had nothing to do.
They had one decent player in their number 11. The rest were pretty average at best.

Highlight for me was seeing that whinging twat Rosenier taken out. How he even earns a living as a professional is beyond me.
Justice for the verbals he was giving the East stand in the first half.

Shame to see Sidders clogging around. A shadow of his former self

Still onwards and upwards on that showing

Lower West

» 20 Aug 2016 18:42

With Moore a certainty to start. VDB can move into midfield. A Swift\Evans\VDB midfield on paper looks the best we've we've had for some years. As all 3 are technically good.

Thought Yann had a good game today. However would prefer someone upfront with real pace. To give an alternative outlet. The front three can then alternate.

Weakest link today was Obita. Exposed for lack of pace.

Oilroyal

» 20 Aug 2016 18:43

After we scored our 2nd posted on the north stand forum

Tin pot goal music dickheads

Barcelona Blue

» 20 Aug 2016 19:11

was over visiting family so once can put a BFTG in

Overall a cracking game against a good Brighton side who will be up there at the end of the season

Habsi- 8 solid enough , didnt do anything wrong

Obita - 5 looked a bit flappy and something´s not right , he doesnt like this new system

McShane-8 Good, nice to see him get one

Joey VdB- 9 Reading´s man of the match for me, I thought he was superb, tackled, good in the air, good passing, shame about the argueing for the first yellow and the red was a profesional foul, with five minutes to go why not,

Gunter- 7.5- OK, good no probs

Beerens- 7.5 tricky, good

Swift- 8.5 very, very good player there, I hope were pushing for the prem by at least the end of next season otherwise we´ll lose him

Mcleary - 7.5 same as Beerens

Danny Williams- 7.5 - huffed and puffed , did OK but needs to run of the ball as well to give defenders more options

Evans 8- quite calm and composed, nothing amazing but he could turn out to be a really good player in time, was surprised

Kermit 7- good header and nice bycycle kick but we need more than that, the wingers are doing there job but hes not quite good enough

Man of the match- joey

Ref- I would never mention the ref but he was APPALING

sat in the east stand , good atmosphere from both sets of fans

Value for money- 9

Overall verdict, if we are going to play around at the back, then the midfielders need to give the defenders more options by running more off the ball, promising and the beginnings of something good